State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R-106), has issued the following update on Connecticut Department of Transportation and state contractor road projects in progress:

“There is a justifiable amount of frustration and uncertainty among local residents about the many road projects in town, especially those being performed by the state because, on the surface, progress seems unendingly slow. As one of those who drives through each of the work zones on a daily basis, I totally share the frustration and have been further frustrated by the difficulty in getting the state DOT to voluntarily provide regular updates.

“With the help of DOT and its contractors, we have assembled the following project information for your knowledge... as each of these projects draws to conclusion, we will all experience very noticeable, long-term improvements in convenience, traffic flow, capacity, reliability of adjacent utilities, and most importantly, for our safety, whether we are navigating these areas in our cars, bicycles or on foot.”

Details on each DOT project are below:

Nighttime Resurfacing Project, SR 490 and SR 860 (Wasserman Way)

A nighttime resurfacing project will be performed on State Routes 490 & 860 (Wasserman Way) in Newtown, beginning Sunday, August 19. The project consists of resurfacing a 0.48 mile segment of Route 490 and a 0.82 mile segment of Route 860 in Newtown. This project is scheduled to occur from 7 pm to 5 am, Sunday, August 19, to the morning of Tuesday, August 21.

Motorists can expect lane closures on SR 490 & SR 860 (Wasserman Way) between the I-84 exit ramp and Mile Hill South Road. Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will be utilized to guide motorists through the work zone.

Route 302 / Sugar Street Bridge Replacement, between Ram Pasture and The Pleasance

(CT DOT Project 0096-0197)

This is the replacement and widening of the unnamed bridge on Route 302 in Newtown, near its intersection with Route 25. This project includes installation of sidewalk and turn lanes to eastbound Route 302 as well as relocation of utilities. Bridge and culvert work are near-complete.

At this time, Eversource Gas is currently working on new gas main installation. Other utility relocation will follow before remaining contract work can be completed to pave the road, install guardrails, landscape, and detail. The new roadway is set to open in late October.

Relocation of Edmond Road at Route 6, Church Hill Road

(CT DOT Project 0096-0192)

Initially, the roadwork was to have been done in 2016 but was delayed by the discovery of a 19th-Century Ice House in the path of the new section of road and a state-mandated “archeological study.” The realignment of Edmond Road will eliminate one of Newtown’s most crash-prone intersections, switching it to a four-way intersection with Commerce Road and Church Hill Road. Turning lanes are being extended on Church Hill’s approach to the highway along with sidewalks and the installation of an upgraded traffic control system to remove the guess work of driving in that area. Drainage and utilities are being relocated and a new “geosynthetic” reinforced soil bridge system will safely span about 60 feet of wetlands.

At this time, the project is on schedule with a completion date anticipated at the end of November.

Intersection Improvements, Pecks Lane

(CT DOT Project No. 096-0196)

This state project will improve visibility, traffic flow, and safety at this five-way, triangular intersection where Pecks Lane and Prospect Drive come together with South Main Street. South Main is being shifted, leveled, and graded to increase sight lines and provide easier, extended passing opportunities for southbound Route 25 travelers. At this time, work is progressing and will be completed in mid-November.

Rep Bolinsky can be contacted by e-mailing mitch.bolinsky@housegop.ct.gov or by calling 860-240-8700.